Rapid, early and sustained virological responses in a cohort of Irish patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection

S. Sarwar, E. J. Ryan, M. Iqbal, P. A. McCormick, C. O'Farrelly, J. Hegarty

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background The response to the treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG IFN)-α combined with ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection varies with some patients having a rapid or early response which is not sustained. Aims To investigate the rates of rapid virological response (RVR), early virological response (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) in an Irish cohort of HCV infected patients receiving IFN-α/ribavirin. Methods Rates of RVR, EVR and SVRwere examined in 123 patients undergoing standard treatment for chronic HCV infection between 2001 and 2007 at a Dublin Teaching Hospital. Results The rates of RVR, EVR and SVR in genotype 1 patients were 48, 68 and 50%, while in genotype 2/3 patients they were 87, 93 and 87%, respectively. The positive predictive values (PPV) of RVR for SVR in genotype 1 and genotype 2/3 patients were 90 and 92.4%, respectively. Conclusion The rates of response to PEG IFN-α/ribavirin in Irish patients are consistent with other international reports. We support the regular monitoring of rapid and early virological response as a standard of care in treating chronic hepatitis C patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)53-58
Number of pages6
JournalIrish Journal of Medical Science
Volume181
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Early viral kinetics
  • Hepatitis C
  • Pegylated interferon-α
  • Predictive value
  • Rapid early and sustained virological responses
  • Ribavirin

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